NEWS
New Texas laws went in Sept. 1
On Sept. 1 some 750 new laws went into effect across the State of Texas, the final result of more than 8,000 bills filed for the legislative session this year.
With so many now on the books, this story will hit some of the highlights related to crime and other aspects of daily life. A good amount related to criminal justice creating new offenses or amending current statutes. Some of the new laws appear obvious while others may leave you pondering.
- Refusal to identify while driving is now illegal. Senate Bill 1551 requires drivers pulled over by police for an alleged law violation to give their driver’s license as well as their name, address and birthday when asked by police. If they refuse, they face a charge of failure to identify while driving, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine. If a driver gives a false name, they face a Class B misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail and a maximum fine of up to $2,000.
Read the full story on some of the new Sept. 1 laws we have highlighted in your weekend Bowie News.
Members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on May 11.
After the consent agenda and public comments, the court will discuss an interlocal agreement between precinct two and the Bowie Sports Association for the baseball complex.
Precinct three will ask for a line-time budget adjustment of $15,000 from operating expenses to part-time.
The court will open and consider accepting sealed bids for emulsified asphalt and prime oil, all on a 90-day contract.
The consent agenda of minutes, bills and reports also is slated.
A 44-year-old Bowie man was arrested Monday morning at the lake next to Bowie High School after he was acting suspiciously and ran from police.
At 7:28 a.m. May 4 Lt. Bob Blackburn saw a man trespassing at the school lake. Nearby there was a vehicle parked on the service road belonging to the suspect, Zane Huntley. The license plate on the vehicle had been concealed using tape.
“My immediate first thought was someone was here to hurt my kids. Covering up your plates is something criminals do,” said the officer.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Staff of the Montague County Tax Appraisal District sent out 15,815 preliminary property value statements for the 2026 tax year.
An additional 3,500 mineral notices and 90 business personal property notices were sent out by Pritchard & Abbott.
Overall total preliminary values for the county went up 8.1% when compared to certified values from 2025 reported Chief Appraiser Kim Haralson.
Property values have undergone many changes in the last few years based on actions from the Texas Legislature, subdivision developments and energy.
Last November, Texas voters approved an increase in the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 which affected last year’s values and taxes.
Ongoing development of subdivisions throughout the county and fluctuations in the oil and gas industry also are having an impact.
Values were determined as of Jan. 1, 2026, so any activity after that date such as recent upheavals in energy due to the war in Iran have not impacted the numbers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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